The beautiful ‘Magnolia State’ is a land of great variety, with wide-open spaces, white sand beaches, bustling cities, quaint little towns and a real feel of the Deep South. This is the State where the key battle of the American Civil War was fought (at Vicksburg in 1863) and where racial strife erupted with terrifying force in the 1960s.

It is also the State whose geographical beauty and rich atmosphere have inspired a wealth of artistic talent, from William Faulkner, Eudora Welty and Tennessee Williams to Elvis Presley, Jimmie Rodgers and B B King. As well, the mighty Mississippi River, thousands of acres of lush parkland and the Gulf of Mexico coastline combine to make Mississippi a popular outdoor destination.

Mississippi was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 but much of the infrastructure and attractions have been repaired and are open to visitors.